Goffstown library director, trustee talk about expansion

By JULIE HANSONUnion Leader Correspondent

GOFFSTOWN — A building expansion was the only item on the library’s Capital Improvement Program submission to the town.

Library Director Dianne Hathaway and Michael Lawler, board of library trustees chairman, made the presentation to the CIP committee Thursday evening. Lawler said there is a need for the $4.7 million expansion project that was proposed in 2008.

“The Goffstown Library is prominently displayed, and as in other New Hampshire communities and around the world, is seen as both an anchor and a showpiece of the community, providing not only an education and activity center for the townspeople, but also serving as an emblem for the community,” Lawler said. “Further, it is a tangible statement of value of a community and its willingness to invest in itself long term.”

The library building was built more than 100 years ago, Lawler said. The basement was renovated in 1971 to create a children’s area and eight off-street parking spaces were added in 1986.

The library staff works in public spaces including meeting rooms and storage space is at capacity, Lawler said. A comparison with libraries in similar towns showed Goffstown’s 5,106 square foot library was smaller physically and in the size of its collection, he said.

A parcel of adjacent land that was purchased for $272,000 of donated funds to accommodate future expansion is being used for additional parking and programming.

Lawler said it was difficult to determine costs without a design plan. The CIP proposal calls for $150,000 in 2016 for planning and design, $4,700,000 in 2017 for construction, equipment and furnishings, and $350,000 for other costs.

Committee vice chair Earl Carrel asked if any grant money would be available to assist with the cost.

“Our intent is to offset as much as we can through fundraising and grants,” Lawler said.

The CIP committee generally meets with department heads from May through August.